Actuatable toys containing deformable bladders

ABSTRACT

Actuatable toys that contain a deformable, and optionally elastomeric, core therein that facilitates in actuating a predetermined movement of a component of the toy or article when the core is squeezed or otherwise deformed. In some embodiments, the core is a bladder that contains a fluid substance and is deformable proximate to the actuatable component upon application of pressure thereto. The actuatable component may take such illustrative forms as a belly, a tail, a nose, a snout, a mouth, a jaw, arms, ears, tail, and/or legs of an animal toy. In addition, the actuatable toy comprises a flexible outer covering enclosing the core, where at least a portion of the outer covering comprises a movable material disposed proximate to the actuatable component of the toy, whereupon actuating of the movable material and deformation of the core facilitate actuation of the actuatable component upon application of pressure to the toy.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/726,837, which was filed on Oct. 14, 2005, and the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. This application is also a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/105,308, which was filed on Apr. 13, 2005, and which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/753,982, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,119, which was filed on Jan. 5, 2004, and which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/047,075, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,932, which was filed on Jan. 14, 2002. The complete disclosures of the above-identified patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to actuatable articles, and more specifically to toys that contain elastomeric and deformable bladders therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Examples of existing children's toy animals include stuffed animals or stuffed toy figures. For example, plush toy animals are typically filled with a filling such as polyester fiber. Other toy animals include plush or other covers that are filled with a plurality of pellets, sand, or other particles. An additional type of toy figure is formed from rubber and includes a hollow air-filled cavity. FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional rubber toy 20 that is filled with air. The toy is generally made of a single layer of the rubber outer material 24 that includes certain layers, or appendages, 22, such as the eyes, nose, and ears. In particular, the appendages 22 are designed and made to pop out, as shown in FIG. 1B, when a user applies pressure to the toy, such as by pressing or squeezing the toy. The appendages 22 are connected to the rubber outer material 24 via extra material 26 that is made to be folded and recessed into the toy 20 in its normal state, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1A. The extra material unfolds and extends from the remainder of the toy 20 in the popped out state, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the user presses or squeezes the toy 20. This compression of the toy causes the internal pressure within the toy 20 to increase, resulting in movement or expansion in areas of the rubber wall such that some or all of the appendages 22 pop out. The appendages 22 popping out creates additional volume within the toy 20 that alleviates the increased internal air pressure.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Toys are disclosed that contain an elastomeric and deformable bladder therein that facilitates imparting a predetermined movement to at least one actuatable component of the toy when the bladder is squeezed or otherwise deformed. The actuatable component may take such illustrative, and non-exclusive, forms as a tail, a nose, a snout, a belly, a mouth, a jaw, an arm, an ear, a tail, a wing, a tongue, a head, a foot, a claw, a hand, a leg, etc. of a toy, such as a toy animal. The actuatable toy generally comprises a resilient core, such as an elastomeric and deformable core. In some embodiments, the core may take the form of a bladder, which may contain a fluid substance. The bladder or other core may be deformable at least proximate to the actuatable component upon application of pressure on the bladder. The fluid substance inside the bladder may be a liquid, such as water or oil, a gas, such as air, a deformable gel, or a non-fluid material suspended in fluid. The bladder or other core is deformable to facilitate actuation of the actuatable component and preferably has an elastomeric outer shell so that the bladder or other core is biased to return to its original, or non-actuated, shape. In some embodiments, the outer shell of the bladder and/or outer surface of the core is configured to impart a predetermined motion, or expansion, of the bladder upon receipt of compression thereto, such as in a predefined region, or location. In some embodiments, the outer shell includes at least one of undercuts, ribs, indentions, projecting extensions, and the like to impart defined motion thereto responsive to compression of the bladder. In some embodiments, the toy includes a tether interconnecting the bladder or other core with the outer covering of the toy. In some embodiments, the toy includes a rigid interconnection between the bladder or other core and the outer covering. In some embodiments, the toy includes at least one rigid member within the outer covering and adapted to be engaged by the bladder or other core at least when the bladder or other core is in an actuated state.

The actuatable toy further comprises a flexible outer covering enclosing the bladder or other core, where at least a portion of the outer covering comprises a movable material disposed proximate to the actuatable component of the toy, whereupon moving of the movable material and deformation of the bladder or other core facilitate actuation of the actuatable component upon application of pressure on the toy. The actuatable toy may further comprise a filling disposed within the outer covering and outside of the bladder or other core. The outer covering may include a fabric covering, at least a portion of which may be a movable material that may be, for example, a stretchable elastomeric material such as Spandex®, a layered fabric material, a gathered fabric material, and/or a loose or excess fabric material that is optionally gathered with elastic. At least a portion of the fabric covering may be formed from a plush material, although this construction is not required to all embodiments. The movable material of the outer covering allows for expansion or deformation of the bladder or other core into a space or volume defined by the movable material when the bladder or other core causes, directly or indirectly, the space defined by the movable material to expand or otherwise deform, resulting in actuation of the actuatable component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a conventional toy in its normal and popped out state.

FIG. 2A is a front elevation view of an exemplary internal deformable core for placement inside an actuatable toy according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of another illustrative example of an illustrative core for placement inside an actuatable toy according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of an exemplary bear toy containing the internal deformable core of FIG. 2A or 2B in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the bear toy of FIG. 3A in a stomach-bulging state.

FIG. 3C is a front elevation view of the bear toy of FIG. 3A in an arms-extended actuated state.

FIG. 3D is a fragmentary front elevation view of the bear toy of FIG. 3A in an arms-extended actuated state.

FIG. 3E is a fragmentary front elevation view of another illustrative internal construction for the bear toy of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3F is a fragmentary front elevation view of the bear toy of FIG. 3A containing another internal deformable core and construction according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3G is a fragmentary front elevation view of the bear toy of FIG. 3A containing another internal deformable core and construction according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a body portion of an outer shell for actuatable toys containing internal deformable cores according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an illustrative example of a suitable body portion of an outer shell for actuatable toys containing internal deformable cores according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A is a front elevation view of the shell of FIG. 5 with appendages shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 6B is a fragmentary view of a portion of a toy having an actuatable component according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6C is a fragmentary view of the portion of the toy with movement being imparted to the actuatable component responsive to external forces being applied to the core of the toy.

FIG. 6D is a partial cross-sectional view of the toy of FIG. 6B.

FIG. 6E is a partial cross-sectional view of the toy of FIG. 6C.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the shell of FIG. 5 with appendages shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of an actuatable toy that includes the shell of FIG. 5 in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the toy of FIG. 8 in an arms-open actuated state.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the toy of FIG. 8 in an arms-forward actuated state.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a bird toy according to the present disclosure in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the bird toy of FIG. 11 in a mouth-open actuated state.

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of another bird toy according to the present disclosure in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the bird toy of FIG. 13 in a wings-raised actuated state.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a dog toy according to the present disclosure in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the dog toy of FIG. 15 in a head-raised actuated state.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of a dolphin toy according to the present disclosure in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the dolphin toy of FIG. 17 in a tail-flipped actuated state.

FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of a pig toy according to the present disclosure in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of the pig toy of FIG. 19 in a head-extended actuated state.

FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of an alligator toy according to the present disclosure in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of the alligator toy of FIG. 21 in a mouth-open actuated state.

FIG. 23A is a top plan view of an exemplary deformable core for placement inside an actuatable toy according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 23B is a side elevation view of the core of FIG. 23A shown in a jaw-extended actuated state.

FIG. 24A is a side perspective view of an exemplary alligator toy containing the internal deformable core of FIGS. 23A and 23B in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 24B is a side perspective view of the alligator toy of FIG. 24A with the core in a jaw-extended actuated state.

FIG. 25A is a side elevation view of an exemplary deformable core for placement inside an actuatable toy according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 25B is a top plan view of the core of FIG. 25A.

FIG. 26A is a fragmentary side elevation view of an exemplary dolphin toy containing the internal deformable core of FIGS. 25A and 25B in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 26B is a fragmentary side elevation view of the dolphin toy of FIG. 26A with the core shown in a tail-flipped actuated state.

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary side elevation view of another illustrative example of an internal deformable core for placement inside an actuatable toy according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a fragmentary, partial cross-sectional side elevation view of an illustrative bird toy according to the present disclosure in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 29 is a fragmentary, partial cross-sectional side elevation view of the bird toy of FIG. 28 in a wings-raised actuated state.

FIG. 30 is a fragmentary front elevation view of another bird toy according to the present disclosure in a wings-lowered state.

FIG. 31 is a fragmentary front elevation view of the bird toy of FIG. 30 in a wings-raised state.

FIG. 32 is a side elevation view of another dolphin toy according to the present disclosure in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 33 is a side elevation view of the dolphin toy of FIG. 32 in a tail-flipped actuated state.

FIG. 34 is a side elevation view of another bird toy according to the present disclosure in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 35 is a side elevation view of the bird toy of FIG. 34 in a mouth-open actuated state.

FIG. 36 is a side elevation view of another alligator toy according to the present disclosure in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 37 is a side elevation view of the alligator toy of FIG. 36 in a mouth-open actuated state.

FIG. 38 is a top plan view of another bird toy according to the present disclosure in a non-actuated state.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the bird toy of FIG. 38 in a wings-lowered state.

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the bird toy of FIG. 38 in a wings-raised state.

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the bird toy of FIG. 38 in a non-actuated state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to toys or other play articles that contain an elastomeric and deformable core therein that facilitates generating a predetermined movement of an actuatable component, such as a tail or an arm, when the toy is squeezed or otherwise deformed. The following description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure. Descriptions of specific embodiments and applications are provided only as examples and various modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the following discussion and the corresponding figures will present illustrative embodiments of toys according to the present disclosure in the form of various examples of toy animals having one or more actuatable components, such as arms, legs, wings, mouths, tails, noses, and the like. The illustrative examples of animals and actuatable components, or other appendages, are provided for the purpose of illustrating toys and constructions therefor, without being intended to provide exclusive examples thereof. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

FIGS. 2A and 2B provide illustrative, non-exclusive examples of suitable cores 30 for use in actuatable toys according to the present disclosure. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate exemplary internal deformable cores 30 a and 30 b for placement inside a toy, such as a bear toy, according to the present disclosure. The specific shape of the core and type of animal or other creature that the toy is shaped to resemble may vary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Typically, the deformable core 30 is squishy, or squeezably deformable, and comprises an outer shell 31. The outer shell may also be referred to as an outer surface and may be elastomeric. The core may be biased to return to, or at least substantially toward, an original, resting shape upon a release of pressure that was applied thereto. The core may thereby be described as being adapted to be deformed from an unactuated, or non-actuated, state to an actuated state upon application of pressure to the core, with the core being adapted to resiliently return to the unactuated state upon release of the applied pressure. The applied pressure may be, or include, compressive forces that are applied to at least one region of the core. In some embodiments, the compressive forces are applied to opposed regions of the core's outer shell.

The outer shell 31 of the deformable core 30 may (but is not required to in all embodiments) be stretchable. An illustrative, non-exclusive example of a suitable material for the outer shell of the deformable core 30 is KRAYTON®. Another illustrative, non-exclusive example of Hyper-Flex™, although others may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, core 30 may be formed from a solid mass of resilient material. The material preferably is not only resilient and biased to repeatably return from an actuated state to its resting, or non-actuated state, but also sufficiently soft for use in a children's toy. For example, the core material may be selected to have a Share A hardness of less than 15 durometer, less than 10 durometer, less than 5 durometer, less than 3 durometer, 2-6 durometer, 5-11 durometer, 1-5 durometer, etc. When user-imparted compressive forces are applied to the cure, the core may behave much like a liquid-filled bladder as it deforms responsive to the applied forces.

In some embodiments, the core may define an internal compartment, or chamber, 29 therein. In such an embodiment, the core may be referred to as a bladder in that it encloses a fluid-containing chamber or internal compartment. When core 30 takes the form of a bladder that defines an internal compartment, or chamber, the internal compartment of the bladder may be filled with a fluid substance 33. The fluid substance may include one or more of a liquid such as oil and/or water, a gas such as air, a deformable gel, and/or a non-fluid material suspended in a fluid. An illustrative, nonexclusive example of a suitable fluid for filling the bladder is a mixture of water and sodium polyacrylate suspended in the water, although other liquids, liquid solutions, emulsions, solid suspensions, and the like may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that bladder 30 may be partially, or completely, filled with air or another suitable gas or mixture of gases. When partially filled with one or more gases, the bladder may also be partially filled with at least one liquid and/or solid.

In the following discussion, core 30 will be described in terms of a fluid-containing bladder 30. However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that resiliently deformable solid core may be used in place thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the toys 40 that are described, illustrated, and/or incorporated herein may include a resilient core that has any of the shapes, configurations, and/or properties of the subsequently described and/or illustrated bladders. When the core is a solid core, it may additionally include internally and/or externally extending ribs, channels, grooves, and the like. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that a solid core may have one or more holes or passages extending at least partially, or even completely, therethrough.

When bladder 30 is filled with a liquid, the weight of the toy will tend to be much greater than the comparable weight of a similar toy containing only batting or other conventional filling material for stuffed animals. As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, actuatable toys 40 with liquid-filler or liquid-containing bladders 30 according to the present disclosure may (but are not required to in all embodiments) weigh at least 50%, at least 100%, at least 200%, at least 300%, 50-200%, 100-300%, or more than a corresponding toy that includes a gas-filled bladder or no bladder at all. Cores 30 that are not fluid-filled bladders may also exhibit these illustrative relative weights. The resulting toys may also have greater play value due to the bouncy, resilient construction of a toy 40 containing the liquid-filled bladder or other core 30, with the resilient construction of the bladder (or other core) and/or outer covering of the toy contributing to the bouncy, animated features exhibited by the toy.

As discussed, core 30 may (but is not required to in all embodiments) impart a bouncy property, or characteristic, to actuatable toys 40 according to the present disclosure. When present, such a property or characteristic may be expressed in terms of the height of the rebound of the toy when dropped upon a hard surface and/or the number of times that the toy sequentially rebounds (or bounces) when dropped onto a hard surface. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of bouncy toys 40 include toys that rebound at least 0.75 inches, at least 1 inch, 1-3 inches, at least 2 inches, at least 3 inches, at least 4 inches, or more when the toy is dropped from two feet above a hard, flat surface, such as a table, pavement, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, non-exclusive examples of bouncy toys 40 include toys that sequentially rebound, or bounce, at least twice, at least three times, or more when dropped from two feet above a hard, flat surface.

In the illustrative examples shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, bladder 30 includes a plurality of projections, or projecting members, 35 that project, or otherwise extend, from a central, or body, portion 37 of the bladder. In the illustrative examples shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the projecting members take the form of regions that will correspond to actuatable components in toys containing the bladders. The actuatable components of the toys may be configured to selectively or collectively expand or otherwise move within a predetermined range of motion responsive to selective compression of, or application of pressure to, the toy's bladder 30. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of suitable actuatable components include heads, tails, arms, legs, bellies, tails, noses, snouts, mouths, jaws, ears, tongues, feet, claws, hands, wings, horns, etc. The projecting members may also be described as bladder appendages. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the projecting members, or bladder appendages, may be filled with fluid substance 33, filled with a different fluid substance, filled with a solid material, and/or formed from a solid portion of the material from which outer shell 31 is formed.

It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the number and type of projecting members that extend from a particular bladder, and the corresponding components represented thereby in toys containing the bladder, may vary. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of appendages, or actuatable components, that may be utilized by bladders 30 according to the present disclosure include arms, legs, mouths, noses, wings, tails, hands, ears, heads, feet, tongues, horns, eyes, and the like. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that a bladder 30 does not include any projecting members. For example, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the bladder may have a spherical or otherwise generally smooth configuration that does not include specific projecting portions.

As discussed, bladder 30 is adapted to impart a predetermined movement to the toy, such as to one or more actuatable components of the toy, within which the bladder is housed upon the application of pressure to the bladder, and especially upon application of pressure to one or more predetermined regions of the bladder. The bladder may be shaped or otherwise configured to impart this movement at least partially due to the shape of the bladder. Other factors that may, but are not required to, contribute to the movement imparted when the bladder is compressed include whether the bladder includes one or more regions of increased or decreased stiffness, one or more regions of increased or decreased thickness of outer shell 31, one or more regions with (internally and/or externally) projecting ribs, recesses, gathered material, etc. Additional factors that may, but are not required to, contribute to the movement imparted to an actuatable component of a toy containing a bladder according to the present disclosure include the construction of the outer covering of the bladder, the type and/or properties of the material(s) used to form the outer covering (including but not limited to the elasticity and/or stretchability of the material(s)), any structural linkage between the bladder and the outer covering, and the relative position of the bladder relative to the actuatable component of the toy.

The illustrative projecting members 35 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B provide graphical examples of two types of bladder constructions that may be utilized in bladders 30 according to the present disclosure to configure the bladder to impart movement (i.e., expand in the direction of), selected regions thereof (such as to one or more selected projecting members) upon application of localized pressure to the bladder. Also shown, the arms 32 of the outer shell 31 of the bladder 30 illustrate that layered regions may be utilized to allow the arms (or other projecting member or appendage) to more easily expand, extend, or otherwise be displaced from a non-actuated state to an actuated state, such as an arms-raised actuated state, arms-spread actuated state, arms-hugging actuated state, an arms-together actuated state, an arms-forward actuated state, etc., upon application of pressure to the bladder.

In particular, FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate two examples of layering 38 a and 38 b in regions of the bladder's outer shell proximate to a bladder appendage, with the specific examples demonstrating layering in the “armpit” region proximate to the bladder appendages that correspond to arms of the toy. “Layers” may include or refer generally to one or more of layers of material; additional or excess material; folded material; indented, recessed or concave material; and/or protruded or convex material. The layering of the outer shell of the bladder associated with the arms may be in, or proximate to, portions of the arms that facilitate specific desired movement of the arms. For example, the layering of the outer shell of the bladder may only be in the front portion of the arm so as to facilitate the arms opening up. Further, the layering of the outer shell may be in the portion of the arm close to the torso, such as in the armpits, in order to facilitate the arms to raise relative to the torso when urged to an actuated state responsive to the selective compression of the bladder. The arms may each further define a concave undercut or indentation in or near the armpits or otherwise toward the front and lower portion of arms 32 and immediately adjacent to the torso portion of the bladder 30. The concave undercuts or indentations for the arms 32 may be configured to bias the arms to flop down and forward in an unactuated, resting state.

Additionally or alternatively, the bladder may define layers in an area such as indented annular areas 38 c immediately around the ears 34 to allow the ears to easily extend outward. The amount of layering or indentation may be designed to control the amount that a particular region or projecting member, such as ears 34, extends outward relative to the pressure applied to the bladder 30.

Application of pressure to the bladder 30 results in movement of the fluid substance in the bladder 30 and in movement or deformation of the outer elastomeric shell 31 of the bladder 30 as the fluid substance flows within the outer elastomeric shell. In other words, the application of pressure to the bladder 30 results in an actuating or elastomeric action due to the increase in pressure inside the bladder 30 or inside portions of the bladder 30. The specific desired movement or actuation of the bladder 30 may be at least partially provided through the structural design of the bladder 30 and/or the elasticity and rigidity of the bladder 30 and/or the interaction of the bladder with other components of the toy, such as the toy's outer covering and/or components that are engaged by the expansion of the bladder. For example, the layering and/or indentation of the arms 32, ears 34, and/or nose 36 of the bladder 30 may provide areas of less or least resistance to expansion or deformation of the walls of the bladder 30 and flow of the fluid substance contained therein. In other words, the bladder 30 may be made of an elastomeric material that is expandable or stretchable and the provision of the layering and/or indentations ensures that the specific desired areas of the bladder 30 expand when squeezed. As will be described in more detail herein, deformation of the bladder 30 may (but is not required to) also be facilitated by a cover exterior to the deformable bladder.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate an exemplary actuatable toy 40 that contains a bladder 30 according to the present disclosure. In the illustrative example shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, toy 40 takes the form of a bear toy 40 a that contains the internal deformable bladder 30, such as (but not limited to) the bladders 30 a or 30 b of FIGS. 2A and 2B, in a non-actuated state, a stomach-bulging actuated state, and an arms-extended actuated state, respectively. As discussed, actuatable toys 40 according to the present disclosure may take a variety of forms, with the illustrated bear toy merely being an illustrative, non-exclusive example. Additional non-exclusive examples include animals, forest animals, household pets, zoo animals, farm animals, wildlife, reptiles, amphibians, birds, marine creatures, fish, dinosaurs, humans, aliens, fictitious creatures, insects, and the like.

Regardless of its particular shape, an actuatable toy 40 according to the present disclosure includes a flexible outer, or external, covering 41 that at least partially, and often completely, encloses bladder 30. Outer covering 41 is a separate structure from the bladder and may be described as defining an internal compartment 45 in which the bladder is housed. The bladder may be enclosed within the compartment but not directly secured to the over covering, although it is within the scope of the present disclosure that some linkages or couplings between the bladder and outer covering may be utilized. Toys 40 according to the present disclosure may include a single compartment 45; however, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure that toys 40 may include more than one compartment, with these compartments being defined at least in part by outer covering 41. When the toy includes only a single such compartment, the compartment may be referred to as a primary component, even though there are not other compartments. When the toy contains two or more compartments, one of the compartments may be a primary compartment.

Covering 41 may also be referred to as an outer (or exterior) cover, and may be a fabric cover. Covering 41 may be formed from a flexible, soft material and in such embodiments may be referred to as a flexible, soft outer covering. For example, the outer covering may be at least partially, or completely, formed from a plush material, such as a furry fabric to resemble the fur on an animal (such as a bear). The flexible outer covering of the toy 40 may contain, or enclose, the entire internal deformable bladder 30. It is noted that although the exterior cover is described above as a fabric cover, the exterior cover may be made of any suitable flexible material, or combination of materials, that permits the desired actuation of the article or toy. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the bladder may be enclosed in a cover, which may be elastomeric or otherwise flexible and stretchable, which is also positioned within the toy's internal compartment.

As illustrated, the exterior cover of the bear toy 40 a houses, or conceals, the bladder and its associated deformation or other movements, with the illustrated examples showing the cover defining an internal compartment 45 that completely encloses bladder 30. Such concealment may increase the interest level of the toy, as the actuation may appear to be more of a mystery and/or come as a surprise to the user. However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that a toy 40 may include a flexible outer covering 41 that covers only a portion of the deformable bladder 30 and which does not cover the entire deformable bladder 30.

Toys 40 according to the present disclosure may include only a bladder 30 within the outer covering 41. However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that actuatable toys 30 may optionally include filling, or filler, material within the outer covering, such as within an internal compartment defined by the outer covering. The filling material may be a soft, compressible material and may be readily compressed to less than half of its original volume upon the application of user-applied pressure thereto. An illustrative, non-exclusive example of a filling material includes a polyester fiber fill. Filling material may be used to fill an internal volume within the outer covering of the bear toy 40, such as which may extend between regions of the bladder and the internal surface of the outer covering. For example, the legs, paws, the outer or distal portion of the arms, as well as portions of the nose and ears of the illustrative bear toy 40 a shown in FIGS. 3A-3C may (but are not required to) contain filling material. Filling material is indicated in dashed lines in FIG. 3B at 43. The filling material may be (but is not required to be) secured within the desired areas of the toy 40 such as by being sewn or otherwise adhered to the desired portion of the outer fabric covering and/or by placing the filling material within a wholly or partially enclosed compartment created by the outer fabric covering. The filling material, when present, may also simply be positioned within one or more regions of an internal compartment defined by the outer covering, with the filling material being retained therein by the closed outer covering and/or the interaction of the covering and the bladder.

The exterior cover may be designed and implemented to cooperate with the bladder to achieve the desired specific movement or actuation of the toy, such as of one or more of the toy's actuatable components, responsive to compression of the toy's bladder. In other words, the fabric and/or other materials for the exterior cover may be configured to direct and/or enhance the movement imparted by the expansion of the bladder. For example, the outer covering may provide a compartment into which the bladder may expand when pressure is applied in order to facilitate actuation of the toy. As a further example, the exterior cover may be configured to selectively restrict expansion of the bladder in one or more directions and/or to direct, or guide, expansion of the bladder in one or more other directions. Typically, but not exclusively, the movable material of the exterior cover is disposed proximate to the actuatable component of the toy, such as the belly, ears, tail, arms, etc. In addition, deformation of the deformable bladder may, but is not required to, also be proximate to the actuatable component of the article. The movement of the exterior cover and the deformation of the bladder into the compartment defined by the movable exterior cover may cooperate to facilitate actuation of the actuatable component.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that part or all of the fabric cover of toy 40 may, but is not required to, comprise a movable material to facilitate actuation of an actuatable component of a toy 40 according to the present disclosure. “Movable material” of the exterior cover of the toy generally refers to any material that is adapted to move from a resting state to an actuated state responsive to forces exerted thereto by the bladder as the bladder expands or otherwise deforms as external compressive forces are applied thereto. It is noted that the movable material may, but is not required to, be stretchable and/or elastomeric, and that it may include two or more different component materials. When stretchable material is utilized, it may be configured to be stretchable in two, or more than two, directions. The movable material may also be sufficiently resilient and/or repositionable that it may be repeatedly repositioned and/or stretched or otherwise moved during expected use of the toy without damaging the material or otherwise preventing further use of the toy.

As illustrative, non-exclusive examples, the movable material may be, or include, at least one of an elastomeric stretchable material such as Spandex®, gathered material such as loose material gathered with elastic, and/or excess material that is optionally folded or layered when it is not actuated and smoothes out at least partially when it is actuated. The folds may naturally result from excess material when the toy is in a resting, or normal, or non-actuated, state. For example, when excess material is provided in an armpit of a toy, the folds in the armpit may naturally result when the arms of the toy are in a downward position due to gravity. Generally, the movable material may define a space, volume, or subcompartment into which the bladder may deform, i.e., a portion of the bladder may expand or otherwise extend, when compression is applied to at least selected regions of the bladder. The subcompartment may not be a cavity, or may be a substantially smaller cavity, when the toy is in a resting, non-actuated state. However, the subcompartment is such that the bladder may deform and expand into a volume created by the expanding bladder and defined by the compartment. In an illustrative, non-exclusive example, a subcompartment may be formed from two generally parallel or overlapping layers of outer covering material. Thus, the subcompartment defined by the outer covering may be configured to expand in volume in response to the bladder expanding into the subcompartment.

When two or more different materials are utilized to form the outer covering, the materials may be selected to have different elasticities or resistances to being stretched. In such a construction, the portion of the outer covering that is formed from the more elastic or stretchable material (and/or the material having less resistance to being stretched) may define a region into which the bladder will expand because the region provides less resistance to expansion of the bladder than another region of the outer covering that provides greater resistance. As discussed in more detail herein, the outer covering may include stitching or other fasteners that may be configured to restrict or promote certain movement of the bladder and corresponding regions of the outer covering.

In the illustrative embodiment of a bear toy 40 a shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the toy comprises an outer covering 41 that includes elastomeric stretchable material that extends over a stomach, or stomach area, 42 and armpits, or armpit areas, 46 in order to configure the outer covering of toy 40 to be somewhat form-fitting over the internal components, e.g., the bladder and any filling material, while allowing the bladder to expand to actuate the desired actuatable components of the toy 40. Thus, the outer covering 41 of the illustrated toy 40 defines a compartment in at least the stomach and armpit areas into which the deformable bladder may expand when compression is applied to the bladder of the toy. When a construction similar to that of FIG. 3B it utilized, the material overlying the stomach area of the toy may have a different construction, such as a more elastic or yieldable construction. In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the region of moveable material to be selected to have a different pattern, texture, and/or color from the adjacent material. While this does not assist in the actuatable aspect of the toy, it may provide a color or pattern break that contributes to the visual appearance of the toy. However, in other embodiments, it may be desirable not to accentuate the differences in the materials of construction, such as to make the movable region less apparent prior to the responsive movement of the actuatable component when compressive forces are applied to the toy's bladder.

FIG. 3A shows the bear toy 40 a in a normal, or non-actuated, state, before application of pressure thereto, and therefore without external compressive forces being applied to the toy's bladder 30. In the illustrative example shown in FIG. 3A, the toy includes a body portion 47 with actuatable components 55 in the form of arms 44, with the arms being illustrated in an arms-lowered state in which the arms are generally not raised and may be drooping due to gravity. FIG. 3D shows the toy 40, namely bear toy 40 a of FIG. 3A, in cross-section and containing a toy bladder 30 in the internal compartment 45 defined by outer covering 41. Also illustrated is filling material 43 that extends within the compartment, such as generally between the bladder's outer shell 31 and portions of the outer covering's internal surface 49. In the illustrated example, bladder 30 includes bladder projections, or bladder appendages, 35 that extend from the body of the bladder when the bladder is in its non-actuated state and which generally correspond to actuatable components of the toy, such as arms 44.

FIG. 3B shows the bear toy in a belly-extended state that may result when the regions of the bladder along the sides of the bear toy's body are compressed. As illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 3B, the extent to which the actuatable component moves when urged from its non-actuated state to its actuated state may vary. As shown, the stomach region is shown further extended in dashed lines than in solid lines. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of factors that may contribute (but are not required to contribute in all embodiments) to differences in the relative actuated states of an actuatable component include the magnitude of the applied compressive forces and the location and/or direction of the applied forces. FIG. 3C shows the bear toy 40 a with arms 44 in an actuated state, which may be referred to as an arms-raised actuated state, in which the arms are spread apart and raised relative to the non-actuated state. FIG. 3D shows another illustrative example of a bear toy 40 a with arms 44 in an arms-raised actuated state. In the illustrative example shown in FIG. 3D, the armpit regions of the toy's outer covering are adapted to yield or otherwise extend outwardly as the bladder is urged there responsive to external compressive forces applied to the bladder. This movement, or deflection of the armpit regions may be described as defining subcompartments into which the bladder may extend, with this expansion of the bladder into the subcompartments contributing to the forces that urge the arms to pivot from their non-actuated state, such as in the generally upward direction shown in FIG. 3D. Upon release of the pressure or squeezing of the toy 40, the portions of the toy 40 that were actuated by the application of the pressure are returned to their resting configurations, or non-actuated states, as the bladder resiliently returns to its non-actuated state. When the squeezing pressure is partially released or partially applied, the toy may be in a partially actuated state or shape, such as which may position the actuatable components intermediate their non-actuated and actuated states.

Squeezing of the bear toy 40 a may additionally or alternatively result in a wiggling or other movement of the ears of the toy responsive to compression of the bladder. In such an embodiment, the ear portions of the bladder may expand toward and/or into a compartment in the ear portion defined by the exterior fabric cover. For example, the outer covering of the toy may be constructed so that the ears are folded down in its non-actuated, resting state due to gravity. When the ears are actuated, the bladder expands into a compartment in or near the ears defined by the exterior fabric cover. When pressure on the toy is released, the ears are biased to return to their resting state such that the ears fold back down to their non-actuated, resting state.

In the illustrative example shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the stretchable material covers the stomach 42 and the armpits 46 such that the stomach 42 may expand or bulge and the arms may raise and/or open upon application of pressure to the toy 40 at the appropriate location(s) on the toy's bladder, illustrative examples of which are indicated with arrows in FIG. 3C. In the above-discussed illustrative example, the portions of outer covering 41 that extend over the stomach and armpit regions of the toy may additionally or alternatively be formed from another suitable material that promotes movement of the toy's actuatable components responsive to compression of the toy's bladder. For example, the material in these regions may be more flexible, looser, gathered, etc. responsive to adjacent material to promote the desired movement, or actuation, of the toy's actuatable components.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that, in at least some embodiments, such as when bladder 30 includes bladder projections 35 that correspond to the actuatable components, the desired movement may be imparted to the toy's actuatable components regardless of whether the outer covering includes specific regions that are adapted to promote this movement. In other words, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the outer covering may be formed from the same material throughout, but also that it may be formed from two or more different materials that overlie different regions of the covering's internal compartment.

It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the toy may include a bladder that does not, in at least its non-actuated state, include projecting members that generally correspond in shape to one or more of the toy's actuatable components. For example, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that toys 40 may (but are not required to) include a bladder 30 that is spherical, generally spherical, ovate, pear-shaped, or otherwise shaped to be free from projecting members. Nonetheless, the toy may still be configured to impart predetermined movement, or actuation, of one or more actuatable components responsive to compression of the bladder in one or more selected locations. In such an embodiment, the desired predetermined movement of the toy's actuatable components responsive to compression of the toy's bladder, such as in specific regions of the bladder, may still be imparted or defined by utilizing an outer covering that selectively restricts stretching or expansion in some regions while promoting or permitting expansion or stretching in other regions.

For example, and as discussed, the outer covering may be constructed to have a movable fabric over or near the desired actuating locations, such as a stretchable elastomeric material, and/or may include extra material that may be gathered in layers or folds. In such an embodiment, the interior bladder need not have projecting members to impart predetermined motion to one or more of the toy's actuatable components responsive to compression of the toy's bladder, such as in specific locations of the bladder. As another example, the outer covering may include one or more regions that restrict expansion or other movement relative to other regions of the outer covering. In such an embodiment, these regions may impart, or direct, expansion of the bladder to cause the predetermined movement of one or more of the toy's actuatable components even if the bladder of the toy does not include projecting members that correspond to the actuatable component.

As discussed, actuatable toys 40 according to the present disclosure include at least one actuatable component 55. The actuatable components are configured to move from a non-actuated state to a predetermined actuated state responsive to compression of the toy's bladder, with this compression optionally being compression of a specific region or regions of the bladder. Upon removal of the compression or other localized pressure being applied to the toy's bladder, the bladder is biased to resiliently return to its non-actuated state, with the actuatable component similarly being drawn or otherwise returned to its non-actuated state responsive at least in part to this restorative motion of the bladder. The resiliency, or restorative forces, imparted to the bladder by the outer covering of the toy may (but are not required to) also contribute to the bladder returning to its non-actuated state. It is even within the scope of the present disclosure that a toy 40 may be constructed with an elastic, or otherwise suitably resilient, outer covering that imparts at least a substantial portion, or even all, of the restorative forces required to return the bladder from its actuated state to its non-actuated state. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that a toy 40 may include two or more actuatable components and that the actuatable components may be configured to have the same or different actuated states, and/or types or paths of movement. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that toys 40 may include appendages that extend from the body of the toy and which are not actuatable components. For example, in the illustrative graphical example shown in FIG. 3E, the arms 44 of the toy may be actuatable components 55 while the legs 57 of the toy may merely be appendages 59 that are not adapted to move to and return from a predetermined actuated state responsive to selective compression of the toy's bladder.

FIG. 3F provides a graphical illustration of an actuatable toy 40 according to the present disclosure that includes a bladder 30 that does not include projecting members, or bladder appendages. As shown, toy 40 includes an outer covering 41 that defines an internal compartment 45 into which the bladder, and optionally filling material 43, is positioned. Being free from internal projecting members, bladder 30 may be described as having only a body portion 37. In FIG. 3F, the toy's internal compartment 45 includes a region, such as a head region, 51 into which a portion of the bladder may extend when the bladder is in its actuated state. This region may be described as being a subcompartment. As illustrated, the subcompartment extends from the rest of the primary compartment and the bladder may extend between the primary compartment and the subcompartment, such as user-applied pressure to the bladder within the primary compartment. For example, when the bladder is deformed to extend into the subcompartment, the filling material 43 contained in the subcompartment may be compressed by the bladder and/or at least a portion of the outer covering that defines the subcompartment may stretch or otherwise deform to accommodate the portion of the bladder received into the subcompartment.

In FIG. 3G, a variant of this construction is shown in which the subcompartment is separated from the primary compartment by a partition 53. Partition 53 may be formed from any suitable material, such as any of the previously discussed materials from which the outer covering of the toy may be formed. When present, partition 53 may restrict or completely prevent the bladder from extending into the subcompartment or other portion of the toy that is bounded by the partition. The partition may additionally or alternatively direct the expansion or deformation of the bladder to regions other than into the subcompartment or other portion of the toy bounded by the partition. In FIG. 3G, subcompartment 51 is illustrated as containing filling material 43, although it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the subcompartment may additionally or alternatively include other components and/or that it may not include any additional components.

As discussed, the bear toy described above is only one example of an actuatable toy 40 comprising a deformable bladder 30 and an exterior covering 41 according to the present disclosure. A deformable bladder and an exterior covering according to the present disclosure may be designed and made into any desired shape and to achieve any suitable actuation(s). Illustrative additional examples of suitable animal shapes were presented above. Further illustrative, non-exclusive examples include a dog toy having actuatable ears that may point and/or an actuatable tail that may wag, a penguin or other bird toy having actuatable arms that may flap, a turtle toy having an actuatable head and/or legs that may extend out from its shell, a toy animal having an actuatable head that raises, lowers or otherwise moves upon actuation, a toy having an actuatable mouth that opens or closes upon actuation, a toy having an actuatable tail that moves upon actuation, a toy having actuatable arms or legs that raise or lower and/or which are drawn together or apart upon actuation, etc. Still further illustrative, non-exclusive examples are shown and described with reference to FIGS. 4-41. As discussed, the illustrative examples are depicted in various animal shapes, but the structural components thereof and/or principles illustrated therein may be used in a variety of toys, including animals and other toys having different shapes and/or configurations.

FIG. 4 illustrates another illustrative example of a suitable shape for at least the body portion 47 of an outer covering 41 for an actuatable toy 40 according to the present disclosure. As illustrated, the body portion has a generally spherical shape and defines an internal compartment 45 into which a bladder 30 according to the present disclosure is housed. The internal compartment may, but is not required to, also include filling material 43 or other internal components. In dashed lines, it is illustrated that the toy may include a plurality of appendages 59, at least one of which may be actuatable components within the scope of the present disclosure. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the appendages may be sewn or otherwise secured to the body portion of the outer covering and that they may define subcompartments that either are, or are not, extensions of the (primary) internal compartment 45 within body portion 47.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the outer covering 41 of the toy includes a plurality of segments, or regions, 61 that are sewn, stitched, or otherwise secured together. The illustrated number of segments is provided merely for the purpose of illustration, and it is within the scope of the present disclosure that a greater or lesser number of segments may be used in a particular embodiment. As illustrated, the segments are separated by seams 63. Segments 61 may be formed from the same or different materials. For example, differently colored, textured, and/or patterned materials may be selected to provide a desired appearance to the outer surface of the toy. Different types of materials may be selected to define regions of greater or lesser elasticity, stretchability, etc. When the segments are sewn together, the thread or other filaments used to secure the segments together may be selected to be elastic or non-elastic, and/or may be sewn in sewing patterns that restrict or facilitate stretching of the seam. For example, a zigzag sewing pattern will promote greater stretching or movement than a linear sewing pattern. Similarly, elastic thread will promote greater stretching or movement than non-elastic thread.

Another illustrative, non-exclusive example of a suitable shape and construction for at least the body portion 47 of an outer covering 41 for a toy 40 according to the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 5. As illustrated, the body portion has a generally spherical shape and has an outer covering 41 formed from two segments 65 that are sewn or otherwise secured together along an elongate seam 63. In FIG. 5, the segments have arcuate configurations, but this shape is not required. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that one or both of the illustrated segments 65 may be replaced by two or more segments. Similar to the previously discussed examples, actuatable toys 40 according to the present disclosure include a bladder 30 within an internal compartment 45 that is defined by the outer covering 41 formed by segments 65. The segments may be formed from the same or different materials, and may have the same or different colors, textures, patterns, physical properties, etc.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 7, body portion 47 has one or more appendages 59 attached thereto, with one or more of the appendages being actuatable components 55 according to the present disclosure. The appendages may be connected to the segments 65, seam 63, or both, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and may define subcompartments that are, or are not, extensions of the compartment 45 within body portion 47. For example, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to locate an appendage on the seam (such as with portions of the components being sewn into the seam), on a particular region of a segment, etc. to configure the toy to selectively impart, or not impart, a predetermined movement to the appendage, thereby selectively rendering the appendage into an actuatable component upon selective compression of the bladder of the toy.

FIGS. 6B-E illustrate how external forces applied to the outer covering 41 of actuatable toy 40 may impart movements to an actuatable component 55 of the toy even though the forces are not directly applied to the actuatable component. Instead, the external compressive forces are applied to the toy's bladder 30. These forces may thereafter be distributed through the bladder, which may be filled with a liquid. The liquid, when present, may behave as an incompressible material and thus distribute the applied force within the bladder instead of absorbing the applied force. As a comparative example, a toy filled with polyester fiber, cotton batting or similar material would tend to absorb the applied force by compressing into a reduced volume responsive to the applied forces. In the illustrated examples, the bladder is adapted to expand, responsive to the applied force, in the direction or region that offers the least resistance to expansion. As discussed herein, this yieldable region may be at least partially defined by the construction of the bladder and/or the construction of the outer covering. As perhaps best seen in FIG. 6C, applying pressure or other compressive forces to a region 39 of the outer covering adjacent the actuatable component results in pivotal movement of the actuatable component generally in the direction of the region to which the pressure was applied. As discussed, outer covering 41 may be (but is not required to be) at least partially, substantially or even completely formed from an elastomeric or otherwise resiliently stretchable material. This material may assist in the movement that is imparted to the actuatable component(s) and/or the distribution of the force applied to the bladder.

FIGS. 8-10 provide a somewhat less schematic example of an actuatable toy 40 containing a bladder 30 according to the present disclosure. In the illustrative example, the toy includes the body portion 47 of FIG. 5, which includes an outer covering 41 formed by segments 65. As shown, and as indicated in FIG. 8, the toy takes the illustrative, non-exclusive form of another bear toy 40 a, although this construction is not required. By changing the shape and/or configuration of one or more of the appendages, the position and/or number of the appendages, and/or the color of the body portion and/or appendages, other animals or other shapes may be utilized. For example, some toys 40 may include longer or shorter arm and/or leg appendages than the arms 100 and legs 102 shown in FIG. 8. Some toys may include a tail appendage, such as indicated in FIG. 8 at 104. Some toys may include a head 106 that has a shape that generally represents a head of a different animal, creature or other object than toy 40 is intended to resemble.

In FIG. 8, the toy is shown in a non-actuated state. In FIG. 9, the toy is shown with its bladder 30 compressed by compressive forces applied to the sides 108 of the body portion's outer covering, as somewhat schematically illustrated. As shown, this selective compression of the bladder urges the toy's actuatable components 55, namely, arms 100, from the non-actuated state shown in FIG. 8 to an actuated state in which the arms extend generally rearward and away from each other relative to their positions in the non-actuated state. This actuated state may be referred to as an arms-spread actuated state. Factors that may (but are not required to in all embodiments) affect the movement of the actuatable component include, but are not limited to, the magnitude of the applied force, the direction of the applied force, the proximity of the applied force to the actuatable component, the construction of the outer covering at and proximate to where the force is applied and/or where the actuatable component is connected to (or extends from) the rest of the body of the toy, etc. FIG. 9 provides a graphical example that not all of the appendages of a toy 40 need to be actuatable components 55 according to the present disclosure. For example, configuring the toy to the actuated state shown in FIG. 9 does not, or does not appreciably, result in a distinct range of predetermined movement of the toy's head, tail, or legs. However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure to configure these appendages to be actuatable components, such as through selective positioning of the components relative to the bladder, configuration of the bladder, construction of the outer covering, and/or as otherwise disclosed herein. FIG. 10 illustrates another actuated state of the toy of FIG. 8. In FIG. 10, the toy is shown in an actuated state that results when the bladder is compressed by compressive forces to the bladder that are applied to the stomach 110 and back 112 regions of the toy's body portion, as somewhat schematically illustrated. The illustrated actuated state may be referred to as an arms-forward or arms-hugging actuated state, in that arms 100 are moved generally together and toward each other relative to their non-actuated states.

As discussed, one suitable mechanism for configuring actuatable components 55 of toys 40 according to the present disclosure for a predetermined range, or pattern, of movement responsive to selective compression of the toy's bladder includes the use of an outer covering 41 that includes regions of less resistance to expansion or stretching. When the bladder of the toy is compressed and expands in response to the applied compressive forces, the bladder will exert forces against the outer covering of the toy. When a region of the outer covering is configured to have less resistance to expansion or other yielding or stretching than adjacent regions of the outer surface, the bladder will tend to expand toward this region, and even into a subcompartment formed as this region expands or otherwise moves responsive to forces applied thereto by the bladder. As discussed, this movable, or yieldable, region may have less resistance to moving due to the construction of the region itself (such as due to the inclusion of layers, gathered material, elastic material, etc.) and/or due to the construction of adjacent regions (such as which may include less yieldable materials, seams, etc.). These movable regions of the toy's outer surface may be referred to as movement, or yielding, regions 120. As discussed, these regions are configured to receive, or direct, the expansive forces exerted by the compressed bladder relative to the regions adjacent the movement regions.

An illustrative example of an actuatable toy 40 according to the present disclosure that includes a movement, or yielding, region 120 in the toy's outer covering 41 is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. As shown, the toy takes the illustrative form of a bird toy having an actuatable component 55 in the form of a mouth, or beak, 122. In the illustrative example, the bird toy also includes appendages 59 in the form of a tail and feet, as indicated in FIG. 11. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the actuatable mouth described and/or illustrated with respect to FIGS. 11 and 12 may be utilized with other toys 40 according to the present disclosure, such as toys that resemble other animals, creatures, beings, and the like. In FIG. 11, the toy is shown in a non-actuated state, in which the mouth's upper and lower portions 124 and 126 (which in the illustrated embodiment may be referred to as upper and lower beak portions) are shown proximate each other. It is not required for the portions to be urged against each other in the non-actuated state, with it being within the scope of the present disclosure that the portions may be at least slightly spread apart from each other in the non-actuated state.

When compressive forces are applied to the toy's bladder, such as by a user pressing against the toy's back region 128 in the general direction indicated in FIG. 12, the bladder deforms and extends against, or otherwise applies expansive forces to, the internal surface 130 of the outer covering proximate mouth 122. In the illustrative example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the head region of the bird toy is separated from the compartment 45 containing bladder 30 by a partition 53, with the head region including filling material 43. Compression of the bladder in a direction to urge the bladder toward the head imparts forces upon the partition, which in turn urges the head to its actuated state. Bladder 30 is somewhat schematically illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 and in the ensuing figures described subsequently herein. As shown in FIG. 12, these forces applied by the bladder configure the mouth to an actuated state, which may be referred to as a mouth-open actuated state in which portions 124 and 126 are spread (further) apart relative to their position in the non-actuated state shown in FIG. 11. The yielding region 120 of the mouth biases the mouth's portions to spread apart from each other responsive to the forces applied thereto by the bladder. Upon release of the pressure being applied to bladder 30, the bladder resiliently returns to its non-actuated state, with the actuatable component, namely, mouth 122 correspondingly returning to its non-actuated state as the bladder withdraws to its non-actuated state. This selective movement of the mouth may be accomplished through a variety of the mechanisms discussed herein. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples include forming one or more regions of the outer covering for the head from a material that is more or less resistant to movement or stretching than other regions of the head. Another illustrative example includes securing the lower jaw proximate the body of the toy or otherwise restricting its movement responsive to deformation of the bladder.

FIGS. 13 and 14 provide another illustrative, non-exclusive example of an actuatable toy 40 according to the present disclosure that includes at least one yielding region 120 in its outer covering 41. As illustrated, the toy takes the general shape of another bird toy, with the toy having actuatable components 55 in the form of arm portions 130, and in the more specific form of wings 132. In FIG. 13, the toy is shown including appendages 59 in the form of feet and a head (which includes a mouth). As also indicated in FIG. 13, the outer covering 41 of the toy includes yielding regions 120 generally beneath each wing, such as in an armpit region defined between the underside of the wing and the body portion of the toy. When compressive forces are applied to the toy's bladder, such as somewhat schematically illustrated in FIG. 14, the bladder expands generally toward the yielding regions, with the resulting forces causing the yielding regions to deflect or otherwise move outwardly from their position in the non-actuated state. This movement may be described as causing subcompartments to be formed in the armpit regions, with the bladder (and/or filling material that is moved with the bladder) expanding into these subcompartments while the compressive forces are applied to the bladder. As shown in FIG. 14, the selective compression of the bladder configures the wings to an actuated state that may be described as an arms-raised, or wings-raised, actuated state, in which the wings are elevated relative to their configuration in the non-actuated state. Upon removal of the compressive forces applied to the bladder, the bladder returns to its non-actuated configuration, with this return movement permitting the yielding regions to return to their non-actuated configuration and the wings to return to their lowered, or non-actuated, state.

FIGS. 15 and 17 provide further illustrative, non-exclusive examples of actuatable toys 40 according to the present disclosure that include yielding regions 120 that assist in defining the (predetermined) path of movement of the toy's actuatable components. In FIG. 15, toy 40 takes the form of a dog toy having an actuatable component 55 in the form of head 140. Also indicated in FIG. 15 are illustrative examples of appendages 59 in the form of legs and a tail. In FIG. 17, the toy takes the form of a dolphin toy having an actuatable component 55 in the form of a tail 150. Also indicated in FIG. 17 are illustrative examples of appendages 59 in the form of a nose and fins. In FIG. 15, the toy's outer covering 41 includes a yielding region 120 that corresponds to a neck region 142 of the toy, which is perhaps best seen in FIG. 16. In FIG. 17, the toy's outer covering 41 includes a yielding region 120 that corresponds to the underside of the toy's tail proximate a body portion of the toy. In FIGS. 15 and 17, the toys are shown with their actuatable components in the non-actuated state. In the context of the dog toy of FIG. 15, the non-actuated state may be described as a head-bent, or head-lowered non-actuated state. In the context of the dolphin toy of FIG. 17, the non-actuated state may be described as a tail-extended, non-actuated state.

In FIGS. 16 and 18, the toys and actuatable components are shown in their actuated states. In FIG. 16, the dog toy of FIG. 15 is shown in an actuated state that may be described as a head-raised actuated state, such as may be achieved through the application of pressure to the toy's bladder 30 by pressing upon the back 144 of the toy's body portion. This exertion of compressive forces that are primarily directed to the back portion of the toy may be coupled with a corresponding compressive force, or at least support, on an opposing region of the toy, such as proximate the toy's chest region. In FIG. 18, the dolphin toy of FIG. 17 is shown in an actuated state that may be described as a tail-flipped, or tail-bent, actuated state. Similar to the above examples, when the bladders of the toys are no longer compressed, the bladders are configured to automatically return to their non-actuated states, with the actuatable components correspondingly also returning to their non-actuated states.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the illustrated head and tail actuatable components of FIGS. 11-18 (and the subsequently described figures) may be utilized with other actuatable toys 40 according to the present disclosure, such as toys that are configured to represent other types of animals, creatures, beings, etc. It is similarly within the scope of the present disclosure that the movement, or yielding, regions 120 discussed above may have any suitable construction, such as described, illustrated, and/or incorporated herein.

Another illustrative example of an actuatable toy 40 according to the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. As illustrated, the toy takes the shape of a pig toy and includes an actuatable component 55 in the form of a head 160 that also includes a yielding region 120 that generally corresponds to a neck (and/or shoulder) region 162 of the outer covering 41 of the toy. Also indicated in FIG. 19 are appendages 59 in the form of arms and legs. The arms of the illustrative example are also indicated in dashed lines in FIG. 19 as being actuatable components 55 to graphically illustrate that toys 40 according to the present disclosure may include more than one type of actuatable component and/or actuatable components that move in different types or paths of predetermined movement responsive to selective compression of the toy's bladder.

Upon compression of the toy's bladder 30, such as by pressing upon the stomach region 164 of the toy's outer covering 41 or otherwise squeezing the body portion 47 of the toy from opposing sides thereof, the bladder is adapted to expand upwardly, generally toward and optionally even into, the head 160 of the toy, as indicated in FIG. 20. The actuated state of the toy may be described as a head-raised, or head-extended, actuated state. This extension of the head 160 of the toy is facilitated in the illustrated example by the expansion of the yielding region 120 responsive to the expansion of the bladder as the bladder is compressed. As discussed, and similar to other embodiments of toys 40 described herein, the bladder is biased to automatically return to its non-actuated state, with the head and the rest of the toy similarly returning to their non-actuated states as the bladder returns to its non-actuated state.

The illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 also graphically depicts that it is within the scope of the present disclosure for the toy to include a tether 170 that physically interconnects the bladder with a portion of the actuatable component. Tether 170 may additionally or alternatively be described as a linkage, or linking member, that physically interconnects the bladder with the outer covering of the toy and/or a portion of an actuatable component of the toy. As illustrated, tether 170 extends from the bladder to an internal surface of the head distal the bladder. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that tether 170 may have flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid constructions. When tether 170 has a rigid construction, the tether may be configured to urge the actuated component to its actuated state as the bladder expands or otherwise deforms responsive to the compressive forces applied thereto. In such a configuration, the tether may cooperate with the bladder to configure the actuatable component to its actuated state even if the bladder itself does not engage or directly extend against the actuatable component.

When the tether has a flexible construction, such as if the tether is formed from material, string, twine, flexible wires, and the like, the tether will most likely not be configured to assist the bladder in urging the actuatable component to its actuated state. However, upon the bladder's automatic return to its non-actuated state, the physical linkage between the bladder and the actuatable component that is provided by the tether may more quickly draw the actuatable component back to its non-actuated state. Tethers 170 according to the present disclosure may (but are not required to in all embodiments) also be configured to provide support to a portion of the outer covering, such as to a portion of an actuatable component. For example, the tether, even when flexible, may be configured to draw at least a portion of the actuatable component toward (or at least resist movement of this portion away from) the bladder by providing a physical connection between this component and the bladder. Accordingly, while a tether in such a construction may still be flexible, it may be configured to not be elastomeric, or otherwise to be in a taut or extended configuration, thereby still providing a predetermined distance, or limited range of distances, between the bladder and the other portion of the toy connected thereto by the tether.

Although schematically illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the tether may have any suitable shape and/or configuration. For example, when the tether has a rigid or semi-rigid configuration, the tether may (but is not required to) have a distal region 172 that is shaped or otherwise configured to distribute the forces exerted by the tether and/or to provide an end region that is free from projecting tips or points that may be undesirable in a child's toy, such as a plush children's toy animal.

FIGS. 21 and 22 provide another illustrative example of a toy 40 according to the present disclosure that also includes a tether 170 that physically interconnects the toy's bladder 30 with an actuatable component 55 of the toy. As illustrated, the toy is shaped to resemble an alligator and includes an actuatable component 55 in the form of a mouth 176 and appendages 59 in the form of legs and a tail. When compressive forces are applied to the bladder 30 of the toy, such as to the back or neck region 178 of the toy's outer covering 41, the bladder is adapted to expand to configure the mouth to an actuated state, such as shown in FIG. 22, which may be referred to as a mouth-open actuated state. When the compressive forces are removed, the bladder returns to its non-actuated state, and tether 170 draws the upper and lower portions of mouth 176 together more quickly than if tether 170 was not present.

As discussed, and as used herein, the compressive forces that are applied to the bladder are applied from external the toy, such as by a user pressing upon or squeezing a portion of the toy's outer covering, and may include forces applied to generally opposed surfaces of the bladder and/or forces that are applied (or at least substantially applied) to a selected region, portion, or side of the bladder. Furthermore, the forces may be applied to localized, or discrete, regions of the bladder, and may thereby result in another portion of the bladder expanding or otherwise deforming or deflecting away from its non-actuated state, such as generally toward the outer covering and/or an actuatable component of the toy. It is further within the scope of the present disclosure that the schematically illustrated bladders 30 in FIGS. 11-22 (and the subsequently described figures) may include any of the bladder constructions, components, and/or variations described, incorporated, and/or illustrated herein. As discussed, the bladders may, or may not include, projecting members (or bladder appendages), may or may not include internal or external ribs, may or may not include regions of greater or lesser elasticity and/or thickness, may or may not be specifically shaped for a particular configuration of toy, etc.

FIGS. 23A and 23B are a top and side view of another illustrative example of a bladder 30 for actuatable toys 40 according to the present disclosure. As illustrated, the bladder is shaped for use in an alligator toy and is generally indicated at 50. As shown, the bladder includes bladder appendages, or projecting members 35 that correspond to upper and lower mouth, or jaw, portions 52 and 54, respectively. In FIG. 23B, upper jaw portion 52 also provides a graphical example that bladders 30 according to the present disclosure may also include yielding regions in their outer shells 31, similar to the yielding regions 120 described above with respect to the outer coverings that may be used with toys according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 23B, this yielding region of the bladder is generally indicated at 58, and in the illustrated example includes layers or folds 56. When pressure is applied to the alligator bladder 50, the layers expand, or define a region that is biased to expand, and thereby direct, or facilitate, actuating the upper jaw portion 52 to move upward and generally away from the lower jaw portion, thereby configuring the jaw to its mouth-open, or jaw-extended, actuated state.

FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate an exemplary toy 40 that contains the alligator bladder 50 of FIGS. 23A and 23B, with the alligator toy being generally indicated at 60. As shown in FIG. 24B, an upper jaw portion 62 of the alligator toy 60 is actuated upward upon application of pressure to the bladder of the alligator toy 60, such as in the directions indicated with arrows in FIG. 24B. In this illustrative embodiment, the outer covering 41 of the toy is shown including a yielding region 120 that corresponds to a region on the underside of the upper jaw portion 62. For example, the yielding region may include a movable material 64 that contains excess material such that the excess material smoothes out when the upper jaw portion 62 of the alligator toy 60 is in the actuated state shown in FIG. 24B. The excess material may be, for example, gathered when the alligator toy 60 is in the resting, or non-actuated, state shown in FIG. 24A.

FIGS. 25A and 25B are a top and side view of another illustrative example of a bladder 30 for actuatable toys 40 according to the present disclosure. As illustrated, the bladder is generally indicated at 70 and is shaped for use in a dolphin, whale, or similarly shaped toy that has an actuatable component in the form of a tail. Bladder 70 includes bladder appendage 35 in the form of a projecting nose portion 71 and a projecting tail portion 72. As shown, tail portion 72 provides another graphical illustration of a bladder that includes a yielding region 58 in the outer shell 31 of the bladder. In the illustrated example, the yielding region includes layers 74. The tail 72 is preferably more layered on an underside of the tail 72 such that when pressure is applied to the dolphin bladder 70, the layers 74 of the tail 72 facilitate in actuating the tail 72 to extend upward or otherwise bend or move relative to the non-actuated state shown in FIG. 25A.

FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate an example of an actuatable toy 40 in the form of a dolphin toy 80 containing the internal deformable dolphin bladder 70 in its non-actuated and tail-flapped actuated states, respectively. As illustrated, the toy includes an actuatable component 55 in the form of a tail 82. As shown in FIG. 26B, tail 82 of the dolphin toy is actuated upward upon application of pressure to the dolphin toy 80's bladder, such as somewhat schematically illustrated with arrows. With repeated application and releasing of pressure to the dolphin toy 80, the tail can be caused to flap up and down as the tail is configured between its non-actuated and actuated states. In the embodiment shown, the outer covering 41 of the toy includes a region on the underside of the tail that defines a yieldable region 120. As illustrated, region 120 comprises a movable material 84 that contains excess material such that the excess material 84 smoothes out when the tail 82 of the dolphin toy 80 is actuated, as shown in FIG. 26B. As illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 26B, region 120 may even bulge or otherwise project outwardly from the body of the toy, such as responsive to the application of greater compressive forces to bladder 30 than would be applied to configure region 120 to the configuration shown in solid lines in FIG. 26B. The excess material 84 may be, for example, gathered when the dolphin toy 80 is in the resting, or non-actuated, state as shown in FIG. 26A.

FIG. 27 provides another illustrative, non-exclusive example of a bladder 30 for use with actuatable toys according to the present disclosure. As illustrated, bladder 30 is generally indicated at 90 and provides a further graphical example of a bladder that includes a bladder projection 35 and a yielding region 58. As shown, the bladder projection is indicated at 92, and the yielding region includes a concave recess, or undercut, 94. Projection 35 may correspond to any suitable actuatable component of a corresponding toy, such as a projecting nose or horn portion. For example, the bladder may be used in a pig toy, with projection 92 corresponding to an actuatable component in the form of a snout. For example, the snout may be configured to move generally upwardly and/or outwardly relative to the rest of the shell 31 of the bladder responsive to compressive forces that are applied to the bladder, with yielding region 94 at least partially defining the path of movement of the actuatable component. The concave configuration of the illustrated undercut 94 may provide the projection 92 with a tendency to extend away from the rest of the bladder, or pop out, with more of a sudden movement, such as may create a surprise for the user.

The outer covering of the corresponding toy in which bladder 90 is used may include a yielding region that overlies or is otherwise proximate to the projection. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the outer covering may include seams at the top and/or sides of the snout or other actuatable component, with the seams being adapted to restrict or otherwise limit movement of the component in one or more directions. As a further option, the outer covering proximate to an underside portion of projection 92 may include a movable material that contains excess material such that the excess material smoothes out when the bladder is configured to its actuated state. The excess material may be, for example, gathered when the toy is in the resting, or non-actuated, state.

As discussed, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that actuatable toys 40 may include components other than bladders 30 and optionally filling material within the internal compartment defined by the toy's outer covering. An illustrative example of such an additional component is the previously discussed rigid or flexible tethers. As a further example, some actuatable components may include weights or other ballast material that urges movement of the actuatable component due to gravity. For example, this ballast material may bias the component to return more quickly to a non-actuated state upon release of the forces that were being applied to the bladder to configure the component to its actuated state. As a more specific example, the wings of the bird toy (and/or arms of a correspondingly configured toy) shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 may include ballast material. Other actuatable components that are adapted to be urged to actuated states that are elevated, or raised, relative to their non-actuated states (when the toy is oriented in an upright configuration) may similarly include ballast material in these components without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 28 and 29 provide another example of an actuatable toy 40 that includes an outer covering that defines an internal compartment 45 that contains a component in addition to a bladder 30. In the illustrated example, the toy includes a rigid linkage, or rigid member, 202 that that extends into an actuatable component 55 of the toy and is coupled for pivotal movement relative to the outer covering 41 of the toy. In FIGS. 28 and 29, bladder 30 is generally indicated at 200, outer covering 41 is generally indicated at 210, and the actuatable component 55 takes the form of a wing 212. The linkage is adapted to be selectively contacted by the bladder to promote pivotal movement of the linkage upon actuation of the bladder from its non-actuated state to its actuated state. While not required, this construction may be utilized for actuatable components in the form of wings of bird toys or other body portions of toys that are moved within pivotal paths relative to the body portion of the toy.

A rigid linkage 202 may be positioned inside each wing 212 of a (bird or other) toy to facilitate actuation of the wing 212. The rigid linkage 202 may have any suitable construction and may be formed from any suitable material for use in children's toys. An illustrative, non-exclusive example of a suitable material is plastic, but others may be used, such as metal or wood. The rigid linkage 202 may extend at least a portion of the length of the wing 212 or other actuatable component 55. In the illustrative example, rigid linkage 202 terminates at one end region 204 with a convex shape, such as a convex hemispherical shape, near or within the body portion 47 of the toy. This shaped configuration is not required to all embodiments, but it may be desirable for the end region that is adapted to be contacted by the bladder to be shaped or otherwise configured for repeated engagement with the bladder and to convert the force applied by the bladder into pivotal movement of the linkage. The end region 204 may be secured or attached by any suitable mechanism to the outer covering of the toy so as to configure the rigid linkage 202 so that it does not shift excessively from its desired position inside the toy. The region 206 at which the convex shape 204 of the rigid linkage 202 is attached, or otherwise coupled, to the outer covering of the toy may, but is not required to, protrude from the end region 204 and may provide a pivot point about which the rigid linkage 202 rotates as the wing or other actuatable component is moved between its non-actuated and actuated states. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to construct regions of the outer covering adjacent region 206, such as proximate the illustrated lead line for reference numeral 47 in FIG. 29, from a material that is (relative to the construction of the outer covering at region 206) less yieldable, less elastic, or otherwise more resistant to moving in response to forces applied thereto as the bladder is urged to its actuated state.

In addition, the convex shape of the illustrated end region is such that the bladder 200, when deformed to its actuated state, would expand and press against the convex shape of the end region to urge a predetermined desired movement, such as may cause the wing or other actuatable component to raise or otherwise move from its non-actuated state. When configured as a wing, repeated actuation and release of the bladder may simulate flapping of the wings. In the illustrative example shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, bladder 200 includes a cooperating concave indentation 208, such as a cooperating hemispherical concave indentation. Indentation 208 may be defined by the bladder 200 for receiving the convex hemispherical shape 204 of the rigid linkage 202 to facilitate the actuation of the corresponding wing or other actuatable component responsive to actuation of the bladder, and/or to further facilitate in maintaining the rigid linkage 202 in its desired position. Thus, when pressure is applied to the bladder 200, the bladder expands or otherwise deflects to engage rigid linkage 202 and to cause the linkage to pivot about the attachment point 206, similar to a lever arm. This pivotal movement of the rigid linkage causes the wing to be raised, or “flap up” accordingly. As is evident, any other suitable material may be placed within the outer covering along with the deformable bladder to facilitate desired actuation.

An underside of the wing 212 of the outer covering 210 may include a yielding region 120, such as illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 29 as movable material 214. In such an embodiment, the movable material may contain excess material configured so that the excess material 214 smoothes out when the wing 212 (or other actuatable component 55) of the toy is actuated, similar to the mechanism by which the tail of FIG. 26B is selectively raised upon actuation of the toy.

Additional illustrative examples of rigid linkages, or rigid members, 202 that may be used with actuatable toys 40 according to the present disclosure are shown in FIGS. 30-37. In at least some embodiments, rigid linkages 202 may also be referred to as levers. The illustrated examples demonstrate that rigid linkages 202 according to the present disclosure may be shaped to extend within the internal compartment of the toy's outer covering and at least partially into an actuatable component 55 of the toy. The rigid linkage is further adapted to be selectively engaged by the bladder, such as when the bladder is configured to its actuated state. As the bladder expands or is otherwise displaced to its actuated state, the bladder engages the linkage and causes pivotal or other suitable movement of the linkage. Because the linkage extends into an actuatable component of the toy, this movement of the linkage causes or at least assists in the movement of the actuatable component from its non-actuated state to its actuated state. Similar to the prior examples of bladders and outer coverings, the illustrative examples shown in FIGS. 30-37 are intended to illustrate suitable configurations that may be used within the scope of the present disclosure, with the particular animal shape or other configuration merely being to provide non-exclusive examples of shapes for toys that incorporate the disclosed components.

In FIGS. 30 and 31, the toy 40 takes the form of another bird toy having actuatable components 55 in the form of wings 132 that include rigid linkages 202 that are adapted to cause movement of the toy's wings between non-actuated and actuated states responsive to engagement of the rigid member with the toy's bladder 30, such as when the bladder expands or otherwise deforms responsive to compressive forces applied thereto by a user. In the illustrative examples shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, and as indicated in FIG. 30, the rigid linkages have bent configurations, with each linkage including a first region 220, which extends within and/or along an interior region 222 of the toy's actuatable component 55, such as wing 132. The rigid linkages each further include a second region 224, which is adapted to selectively engage, or be engaged by, bladder 30. In the illustrative example, second region 224 has an arcuate configuration that is generally concave toward the bladder, although this configuration is not required. In the illustrative examples, the first and second regions extend at angles of approximately 90 degrees relative to each other. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that other angles, or ranges of angles may be used, such as angles in the range of 40 and 140 degrees, angles in the range of 60 and 120 degrees, angles in the range of 80 and 100 degrees, angles of less than 90 degrees, angles of greater than 90 degrees, etc.

In FIG. 30, the toy's wings are shown in a lower position than the position shown in FIG. 31. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that either of the illustrative configurations shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 may be the non-actuated state of the toy, with the other being an actuated state. For example, if the configuration of the bladder shown in FIG. 30 is the non-actuated configuration of the bladder, then compression of a central region of the bladder, such as which corresponds to a stomach portion 228 of the toy's body portion 47, will tend to cause the bladder to expand outwardly and thereby engage the second regions of the rigid members. As the bladder continues to expand laterally, the rigid members pivot and/or otherwise move with the portions of the bladder that contact the rigid members, with this movement causing a responsive motion of the first regions, thereby raising the wings from the configuration shown in FIG. 30, such as to the wings-raised configuration of FIG. 31. When the compressive force is no longer applied to the bladder, the bladder automatically returns to its non-actuated configuration, with the wings and rigid members being adapted to return as the bladder returns to its non-actuated state.

As a variant, if the bladder configuration shown in FIG. 31 corresponds to the non-actuated state of the bladder, then the wings-elevated state shown in FIG. 31 may be referred to as the non-actuated state of the toy. Upon compression to the sides of the toy's body, such as the regions of the body generally beneath the wings, the second regions of the linkages are urged into contact with the bladder, with this movement of the second regions causing corresponding movement of the first regions of the rigid linkages. This movement, in turn, draws the wings from the configuration shown in FIG. 31 to a lower configuration, such as shown in FIG. 30, with this configuration being referred to as the wings-lowered actuated state of the toy. Upon release of the compressive forces, the bladder returns to its non-actuated state, with this movement urging the second regions generally apart from each other. This movement, in turn, causes responsive movement of the first regions, which returns the wings to their non-actuated state.

The rigid linkages, or levers, illustrated herein may, in at least some embodiments, provide pivot points about which the path of movement of the corresponding actuatable component is defined.

In FIGS. 32 and 33, actuatable toy 40 takes the form of a dolphin toy that is similar to the dolphin toy that was previously discussed with respect to FIGS. 17 and 18. As shown, toy 40 includes an actuatable component 55 in the form of a tail 150. As also shown, the illustrated example includes another example of a rigid linkage 202 with first and second regions 220 and 224. Similar to the prior example, first region 220 is adapted to extend within an interior region 222 of the actuatable component, namely tail 150, and second region 224 is adapted to engage and/or be engaged by bladder 30.

In FIGS. 34 and 35, actuatable toy 40 takes the form of a bird toy that is similar to the bird toy that was previously discussed with respect to FIGS. 11 and 12. As shown, the toy includes an actuatable component 55 in the form of a mouth, or beak, 122, which includes upper and lower portions 124 and 126. The illustrated example of the bird toy also includes a rigid linkage 202 with first and second regions 220 and 224. Upon pressing upon the back region 128 of the toy's body portion to compress bladder 30, the applied forces also engage second region 224 and urge this region toward the bladder. This movement causes a resulting movement of first region 220, which urges the toy's mouth to its actuated state, which may be referred to as a mouth-open actuated state and which is shown in FIG. 35.

FIGS. 36 and 37 provide a further example of an actuatable toy 40 that includes an actuatable component 55 and a rigid linkage, or lever, 202. As shown, the toy includes an actuatable component in the form of a mouth, or jaw, 176, with the toy providing a further example of an alligator toy, such as was previously discussed with respect to FIGS. 21 and 22. Similar to the illustrative example shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, pressing upon a back, or neck, region 178 of the toy's outer covering 41 to configure the bladder to its actuated state causes movement of the second region of the linkage toward the bladder. This movement causes a responsive movement of the first region, which urges the mouth to a mouth-open actuated state, such as shown in FIG. 37.

As a variant of this illustrative, non-exclusive example of an actuatable toy 40 that includes a resilient bladder 30 and a rigid linkage, or lever, 202, a toy may include a pair of rigid linkages that are hinged or otherwise configured for cooperative movement to provide a form of scissors movement. In other words, central regions of the linkages intersect, are hinged, and/or extend proximate each other, with the linkages defining intersecting planes. In such an embodiment, each of the linkages may include a distal end region extending into an actuatable component 55 of the toy, and typically into a separate actuatable component, or separate region of an actuatable component. Illustrative, non-exclusive examples include upper and lower jaws of a mouth, opposed arms, opposed segments of a pincher or claw, opposed legs, and the like. The linkages include proximal, or bladder-engaging, end regions that extend proximate generally opposed regions of the toy's bladder. When the bladder is in its non-actuated state, the distal end regions are retained apart from each other, at least partially due to the proximate portions extending on opposed regions of the bladder. When a user applies compressive forces to urge the proximal end regions of the linkages toward each other, the distal end regions are correspondingly drawn together. When the user-applied compressive forces are removed, the resilient bladder urges the proximal end regions away from each other, thereby causing the distal end regions to correspondingly be moved away from each other as the bladder, and thus the actuatable component(s), returns to its unactuated state. In such an embodiment, the resilient bladder of the toy provides a restorative force to urge the actuatable component(s) back to a resting, or non-actuated, state more quickly than if the bladder was not present.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the first region of a rigid linkage may be physically connected or otherwise secured to the actuatable component within which the first region extends. It is additionally or alternatively within the scope of the present disclosure that the second region of a rigid linkage may, but is not required to, be physically connected or otherwise secured to the bladder of the toy. The interior cavities within which the first regions of the rigid linkages extend may be subcompartments of the compartments within which the bladders are housed, although it is within the scope of the present disclosure that the bladder may (but is not required to be) restricted from extending into these subcompartments, such as due to a narrow inlet or opening of the subcompartment and/or a barrier or partition that prevents the bladder from extending into the subcompartment.

FIGS. 38 and 39 provide a graphical demonstration that it is within the scope of the present disclosure that a toy 40 may include more than one rigid linkage, and that in such a configuration, the linkages may be interconnected with each other. As shown, the toy includes a pair of rigid linkages 202, which each include first and second regions 220 and 224. The toy further includes a hinge or other flexible member 230 that interconnects the second regions of the linkages. In the illustrated example, the toy provides another example of a bird toy. As illustrated, the toy includes actuatable components 55 in the form of wings 232 that include interior cavities 222 within which at least the first regions 220 of the linkages extend. FIG. 40 illustrates that external compressive forces that are applied to the bladder in the direction of flexible member 230 will tend to urge the wings to a wings-elevated actuated state from the non-actuated state of FIG. 39. FIG. 41 illustrates a variation of the toy 40 of FIG. 38, with FIG. 41 illustrating another example of a toy 40 that includes a tether 170. In the illustrated example, the tether interconnects bladder 30 with flexible member 230. Similar to the previously discussed tethers, tether 170 may have a flexible, semi-rigid, or rigid construction.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, it should be within the scope of the present inventions that such disclosure or claims may be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure. 

1. A stuffed toy, comprising: a flexible, soft outer covering defining at least a primary internal compartment, wherein the outer covering defines a central body region containing at least a substantial portion of the primary internal compartment, and further wherein the outer covering further defines at least one actuatable component that extends from the central body region and is selected from at least the group consisting of at least one of a head, an arm, a leg, a wing, a horn, a fin, a tail, a mouth, a jaw, an ear, and a nose; and a resilient deformable core enclosed within the outer covering and at least substantially positioned within the primary internal compartment, wherein the core includes an outer surface, wherein the core is selectively deformable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state upon application of external, user-applied pressure to the body region, wherein in the non-actuated state the core occupies a region of the primary internal compartment and retains its shape when the external, user-applied pressure is not imparted to the core, wherein in the actuated state the core extends at least proximate to at least one of the at least one actuatable component to urge a predetermined movement of the at least one actuatable component from a first position that corresponds to the non-actuated state of the core and a second position that corresponds to the actuated state of the core, wherein the core is biased to resiliently return to the non-actuated state upon removal of the external, user-applied pressure.
 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer covering includes at least one seam, and further wherein the at least one actuatable component is secured to the outer covering at the seam.
 3. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer covering is at least partially formed from an elastomeric material.
 4. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer covering is at least partially formed from a material that is not elastomeric.
 5. The toy of claim 1, wherein the at least one actuatable component includes at least a pair of actuatable components that are each configured for predetermined movement responsive to user-applied pressure to deform the core to the actuated state.
 6. The toy of claim 5, wherein the predetermined movement of the pair of actuatable components moves the pair of actuatable components toward each other relative to their position when the core is in the non-actuated state.
 7. The toy of claim 6, wherein the pair of actuatable components include a pair of arms.
 8. The toy of claim 6, wherein the pair of actuatable components include a pair of jaws.
 9. The toy of claim 5, wherein the toy further includes at least one appendage extending from the central body region and which is not an actuatable component.
 10. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the core includes at least one region of greater resistance to deformation than other regions of the outer surface, and further wherein the second position is at least partially defined by the position of the at least one region relative to the at least one of the components.
 11. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the core includes at least one region of less resistance to deformation than other regions of the outer shell, and further wherein the second position is at least partially defined by the position of the at least one region relative to the at least one actuatable component.
 12. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer covering includes a region of a movable material disposed at least proximate to the at least one actuatable component and further wherein the second position is defined at least partially by the movable material.
 13. The toy of claim 12, wherein the region of the movable material is adapted to have less resistance to movement than other regions of the outer covering.
 14. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer covering further defines at least one secondary compartment.
 15. The toy of claim 14, wherein the at least one secondary compartment includes a secondary compartment within the at least one actuatable component, and further wherein the core is positioned to selectively extend into the at least one secondary component when the core is in an actuated state.
 16. The toy of claim 14, wherein the toy includes a partition separating the primary compartment from the at least one secondary compartment to prevent the bladder from extending into the at least one secondary compartment.
 17. The toy of claim 1, wherein the primary compartment includes compressible filler material in addition to the core and positioned generally between the core and the outer covering.
 18. The toy of claim 1, wherein the toy further includes at least one rigid lever having a first region within the primary compartment and adapted to be engaged by the core at least when the core is in the actuated state, and a second region extending into the at least one actuatable component.
 19. The toy of claim 1, wherein the toy further includes at least one tether interconnecting the core and the outer covering.
 20. The toy of claim 1, wherein the core is adapted for movement within the outer covering relative to the body.
 21. The toy of claim 1, wherein the core is not secured directly to the outer covering.
 22. The toy of claim 1, wherein the core is a resilient solid having a shore A hardness of 10 durometer or less.
 23. The toy of claim 1, wherein the core is a bladder having an outer shell and defining a fluid-containing internal chamber therein.
 24. The toy of claim 23, wherein the internal chamber includes at least one liquid.
 25. A stuffed toy, comprising: a flexible, soft outer covering defining at least a primary internal compartment, wherein the outer covering defines a central body region containing at least a substantial portion of the primary internal compartment, and further wherein the outer covering further defines at least one actuatable component that extends from the central body region and is selected from at least the group consisting of at least one of a head, an arm, a leg, a wing, a horn, a fin, a tail, a mouth, a jaw, an ear, and a nose; and a resilient deformable core enclosed within the outer covering and at least substantially positioned within the primary internal compartment, wherein the core includes an outer surface, wherein the bladder provides the toy with a bouncy characteristic, such that the toy will rebound from a hard surface upon which the toy is dropped, wherein the core is not secured directly to the outer covering, wherein the core is selectively deformable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state upon application of external, user-applied pressure to the body region, wherein in the actuated state the core extends at least proximate to at least one of the at least one actuatable component to urge a predetermined movement of the at least one actuatable component from a first position that corresponds to the non-actuated state of the core and a second position that corresponds to the actuated state of the core, wherein in the non-actuated state the core occupies a region of the primary internal compartment and retains its shape when the external, user-applied pressure is not imparted to the core, and further wherein the core is biased to resiliently return to the non-actuated state upon removal of the external, user-applied pressure.
 26. The toy of claim 25, wherein in the actuated state the core extends at least proximate to at least one of the at least one actuatable component to urge a predetermined movement of the at least one actuatable component from a first position that corresponds to the non-actuated state of the core and a second position that corresponds to the actuated state of the core.
 27. The toy of claim 26, wherein the actuatable component is selected from at least the group consisting of at least one of a head, an arm, a leg, a wing, a horn, a fin, a tail, a mouth, a jaw, an ear, and a nose.
 28. The toy of claim 25, wherein the core is a resilient solid having a shore A hardness of 10 durometer or less.
 29. The toy of claim 25, wherein the core is a bladder having an outer shell and defining a fluid-containing internal chamber therein.
 30. The toy of claim 29, wherein the internal chamber includes at least one liquid. 